Baden Powell Hotel - Scouts, Sport and Killer Pizza
Baden Powell Hotel is a gem of a hotel in Collingwood that impresses with its gourmet cuisine (some of Melbourne's best pizza), old world fit out and engaging service (headed by Nat Presutto the Manager ex- Boatbuilders' Yard). This is a stellar gastro pub whose kitchen staff have major international experience and who deliver big time on the largely Italian menu. The combination of scout memorabilia as well as sporting memorabilia is compelling - this has to be one of the best and quirkiest pubs in the city. For over 130 years it has been a watering hole and even boasts accomodation upstairs.
Baden Powell Hotel exudes charm with its generous bar and dining spaces, including the main dining area, a side area with large communal table, two attractive outdoor areas for those balmy summer nights, as well as a chic private function/meeting room named Zac's Lounge. Scouting was never this glamourous when I was a lad. I still remember those campfire stews made by awkward youngsters - Baden Powell Hotel evokes the memories of scouting (Baden Powell was the first scout) but brings class to the cuisine.
Baden Powell Hotel has this intriguing concurrent theme of scouts and sport going - both involve fitness, skill, adventure and endeavour. Check out the scout posters below featured next to a cricket jumper and cap of Alec Bedser the England cricketer...
Baden Powell Hotel has a skilfull kitchen team, headed by Ashley James (ex The Botanical), with major international experience and skill and the food at this gastro pub is truly exceptional. What I love about the Melbourne dining scene is that you find top line chefs working in cool gastro pubs and even cafes. The philosophy here is about excellence, fresh seasonal ingredients, making your own in house when you can (such as the pasta sauce and buns for the burgers), and value.
Firstly the pizza. Believe me I wouldn't rave about pizza unless it was top notch. These guys served me one of the best pizzas I've had in Melbourne, the Zucca Arrosto with roasted pumpkin, caramelised onion, fior de late, sage, goats fetta, pancetta, and rocket... The freshness, balance of flavours, quality of the base, and general moorishness caused me to eat the whole thing when I only intended to sample a few pieces. There is so much on this pizza but its not overpowering. Other pizza options looked tantalising such as the Caprese, Polpette with pork and veal meatballs, Gambaroni with seafood and the Margherita, to name a few...
While the pizza is outstanding there are other worthy favourites such as Rockling fillet battered in craft beer, Hopkins River scotch fillet, Pork Belly and Linguine.
Baden Powell Hotel adds the little touches to its tables...
After devouring a whole pizza I embraced the Linguine brimming with mussels, prawns, fish, Atlantic scallops, garlic and chilli. The quality of the seafood is undeniable and you get a decent amount, but also the quality of the pasta is undeniable. It's a cracking linguine.
Baden Powell Hotel also delivers on desserts. As if I hadn't eaten enough after pizza and a linguine, I couldn't help tucking in to this delighful Vanilla panna cotta with blood orange. The combination of panna cotta and blood orange was superb in both flavour and texture.
The wine list is excellent with half Italian and half Australian component, the guys are sharp on the cocktails, and there are 50 beers with 11 rotating on tap.
Here is a section of one of the cool outdoor areas...
Baden Powell Hotel is a gem of a hotel along Victoria Parade that shines in so many ways...